Sports Betting: A Divided Opinion
Majority of U.S. adults reject the idea of legitimizing sports gambling on college events within their respective states, according to recent AP-NORC survey findings.
Take a peek into the United States, where the controversial topic of sports betting has become a hot discussion. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has shedded some light on the mixed feelings Americans have.
Approximately 6 in 10 adults believe that betting on professional sports should be legal in their state. However, the appeal wanes when it comes to college sports, with only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults supporting the idea. Notably, more than half of the population stands against legal betting on college sports.
The change in attitudes towards sports betting follows years of opposition, as professional sports leagues have grown increasingly comfortable with the idea, even agreeing to lucrative sponsorship deals with gambling companies. College conferences and teams, on the other hand, have managed to keep their distance, reflecting in the poll results.
Take Colleen Plowman, a resident of Kansas, for instance. She endorses legal betting for professional sports but not college sports, due to concerns about the impact on younger athletes.
As of now, sports betting is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia, with Missouri having added to the list following a November ballot measure. Each state has its unique regulations regarding what can be wagered on and the methods employed.
Despite these changes, Americans' openness towards sports betting seems to have remained constant. They are as likely to favor legalizing professional or college sports betting now as they were in 2019.
Furthermore, the frequency of sports betting doesn't appear to have increased. About 25% of U.S. adults say they bet on professional or college sports on a frequent or occasional basis, a drop from 36% in 2019.
The growth of legal sports betting has raised concerns about increased stress on athletes and potential wrongdoing. Reports of a suspected gambling ring under federal investigation, involving NBA betting cases and college basketball programs, highlight these concerns.
Jodie Campbell, a resident of California, shares the sentiment, advocating for legal betting to be limited to pro events and not college. However, Campbell, a non-better, expressed reservations about legalized wagering in general.
In contrast, John Markley, a resident of Delaware, believes that both forms of gambling should be legal, subject to some limits at the college level.
As the landscape continues to evolve, it's fascinating to observe the complex and contrasting views Americans hold towards sports betting.
A Few Insights:
- The sports betting market is thriving, with $13.7 billion in revenue generated in 2024 and almost $150 billion in bets processed[1].
- Young adults (18-34 years old) and women are increasingly participating in sports betting, albeit male 18-49-year-olds remain the dominant demographic[1][2][3].
- Concerns about addiction and problem gambling are noteworthy, with addiction rates having risen by 30% in three years, and consumer losses estimated to reach $700 billion globally by 2028[4].
- Public skepticism remains, with 43% of sports viewers expressing dislike for the integration of betting into broadcasts and 17% being "extremely concerned" about the industry's growth[3].
- In the United States, a substantial majority of approximately 6 in 10 adults agree that betting on professional sports should be legal in their state, while only about 4 in 10 support the same idea for college sports.
- The rise in support for sports betting is evident as professional sports leagues have become more comfortable with the concept, even agreeing to sponsorship deals with gambling companies.
- Colleen Plowman, a Kansas resident, is among those who endorse legal betting for professional sports but not college sports, expressing concerns about the impact on younger athletes.
- Jodie Campbell, a California resident, supports legal betting for professional events only, but like John Markley, a Delaware resident, expresses reservations about the industry's growth in general.
